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Brady Credits Rivalry With Manning as a 'Gift' to His Career

In his latest TomBrady.com newsletter, he explains how convincing himself that Manning disrespected him created the urgency that honed his competitive edge.

Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts greets Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 15, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Former New England Patriots QB Tom Brady
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New England Patriots legend Tom Brady talks about his rivalry with Indianapolis Colts icon Peyton Manning.

Overview

  • Brady admits he regarded Manning as his 'enemy' during their matchups to fuel extra focus and energy.
  • He reflects that believing Manning thought he was a better quarterback because of his top draft status and college pedigree sparked his sense of urgency.
  • He calls their recurring AFC showdowns from 2001 to 2015 a defining 'gift' that pushed him to improve.
  • Despite an 11-6 regular-season lead, Manning held a 3-2 advantage in their playoff meetings, highlighting the balance of their rivalry.
  • Brady argues that viewing rivals as true adversaries is an essential old school mindset for maintaining competitive drive.